Pediatric crib with alarm mechanism for indicating that a gate is not in a locked position

ABSTRACT

A pediatric crib ( 10 ) includes a frame ( 11 ), a gate ( 18,19,20,21 ) mounted on the frame for movement relative thereto between raised and lowered positions, a locking mechanism ( 27 ) for selectively holding the gate in a particular position relative to the frame, and a warning device ( 30 ) operatively interposed between the gate and frame for indicating when the gate is not in its raised position after passage of a period of time.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to beds and cribs havingpatient-restraining gates or rails, and, more particularly, to animproved bed having an alarm mechanism for indicating that a gate is notin the upper locked position.

[0002] 1. Background Art

[0003] Pediatric cribs typically have a wheeled frame that includes fourvertically-disposed comer posts. A mattress is horizontally supported onthis frame. Each side of the crib typically has a gate that may beselectively movable between an upper patient-restraining position and aseries of lower out-of-the-way position.

[0004] When an attendant moves away from a crib, it is important to knowthat the four gates are in their upper locked positions. Otherwise, achild might possibly cause one of the gates to fall, and thereaftercause injury to himself.

[0005] Accordingly, there is believed to be a need for an improved bed,particularly a pediatric crib, that has a means or mechanism forindicating that a gate is not locked in the raised position.

[0006] 2. Disclosure of the Invention

[0007] With parenthetical reference to the corresponding parts, portionsor surfaces of the disclosed embodiment, merely for purposes ofillustration and not by way of limitation, the present invention broadlyprovides an improved bed, such as a pediatric crib (10).

[0008] The improved bed broadly includes a frame (11); at least one gate(18,19,20,21) mounted on the frame for movement relative thereto betweenfirst and second positions; a locking mechanism (27) operativelyarranged between the gate and frame for selectively holding the gate ina particular position relative to the frame; and a warning device (30)operatively interposed between the gate and frame for indicating whenthe gate is not in the first position after a period of time.

[0009] In the preferred embodiment, the warning device is arranged toaudibly indicate that the gate is not locked and in the top position.The warning device may include a proximity switch (33) operativelyarranged between each corner post and the adjacent portions of the gateto indicate that any adjacent gate portion is not in its raisedposition. The warning device may include electrical circuit powered by abattery (31), and may further include an indicator light (45) forvisually indicating that the warning device is operating. The improvedapparatus may further include a signaling device, such as a radiotransmitter (47), for indicating that the gate is not in the firstposition, to a location remote from the location of the bed.

[0010] Accordingly, the general object of the invention is to provide asafer pediatric crib.

[0011] Another object is to provide an improved bed.

[0012] Still another object is to provide an improved pediatric cribhaving an alarm mechanism for indicating that a gate is not up and in alocked position.

[0013] These and other objects and advantages will become apparent fromthe foregoing and ongoing written specification, the drawings, and theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is an isometric view looking at the right front corner of apediatric crib, this view showing the spring as being in an articulatedposition, and with the mattress removed for clarity of illustration.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit of the alarm system employed in theimproved crib.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] At the outset, it should be clearly understood that likereference numerals are intended to identify the same structuralelements, portions or surfaces, consistently throughout the severaldrawing figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be furtherdescribed or explained by the entire written specification, of whichthis detailed description is an integral part. Unless otherwiseindicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching,arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with thespecification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire writtendescription of this invention. As used in the following description, theterms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, aswell as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g.,“horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to theorientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawingfigure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly”generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis ofelongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.

[0017] Referring now to the drawings, and, more particularly, to FIG. 1thereof, the present invention broadly provides an improved bed, such asa pediatric crib, generally indicated at 10.

[0018] Crib 10 is shown as having a wheeled frame, generally indicatedat 11, having four rectangularly-spaced vertical comer posts, severallyindicated at 12. Each comer post is supported on a caster wheel 13. Inthe form shown, an articulable bedspring, generally indicated at 14 isoperatively arranged within the frame. The head and foot portionsthereof are arranged to be articulated by means of cranks 15, 15 locatedat the foot of the bed. In FIG. 1, the mattress has been omitted forclarity of illustration.

[0019] Still referring to FIG. 1, the crib is shown as having four gateson its respective four sides. The front gate is indicated at 16, therear gate is indicated at 18, the left gate is indicated at 19, andright gate is indicated at 20. Each of these gates is pivotally mountedbetween an adjacent pair of frame posts for vertical movement between anupper position, such as shown for rear, left and right gates 18, 19 and20, respectively, and a lowered position, such as indicated for frontgate 16. More particularly, each gate is mounted for slidable movementon a pair of rods, 21, 21.

[0020] The improved crib also includes a locking mechanism 27 that isoperatively arranged between the gate and frame for selectively holdingthe gate in a particular position relative to the frame. This lockingmechanism may simply be a pair of biased washer-like members thatmounted on the gate that are arranged to engage rods 21. Indeed, rods 21may have notches or recesses therein so as to receive the lockingmembers to retain the gates in their upper position. This constitutes apositive interlock against unintentional lowering of the gate.

[0021] The improved crib further includes a warning device that isoperatively interposed between each gate and the frame for indicatingwhen the gate is not in its raised and locked position.

[0022] The warning device is generally indicated at 30 in FIG. 2.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2, the warning device is shown as having abattery 31 and a manually-operated main switch 32. A plurality ofnormally-closed reed-type proximity switches, severally indicated at 33,are operatively arranged adjacent the upper portions of the frame posts,and are selectively activated by magnets (not specifically shown)carried by the proximate portions of each gate. It should be noted thatthe switches for each end of a particular gate are arranged in parallel,and are connected by quick connectors, severally indicated at 34.Current from the battery is supplied through main switch 32 andconductor 35 to the sensors 33. When these switches are closed, acurrent passes through the closed switches to a conductor 36 which leadsto a conductor 38. A dual timer 39 is arranged between conductor 38 andreturn conductor 40, which communicates via conductor 41 with theopposite side of the battery.

[0024] Conductors 3 8 and 40 are connected via a branch circuitincluding resistors R₁, R₂ and capacitor C₇, and by another branchcircuit including resistors R₃, R₄ and capacitor C₂.

[0025] The dual timer 39 is an integrated circuit having fourteenterminals. Terminal 1 communicates with a node between resistors R₁ andR₂. Terminal 2 communicates with the node between resistor R₂ andcapacitor C₇, and with terminal 6. Terminal 3 communicates with returnconductor 40 via capacitor C₃. Terminal 4 communicates with conductor38. Terminal 5 communicates with terminal 10. Terminal 6 communicateswith terminal 2 and with the node between resistor R₂ and capacitor C ₁.Terminal 7 communicates with conductor 40. Terminal 8 communicates withthe node between resistor R₄ and capacitor C₂, and with terminal 12.Terminal 9 communicates with conductor 40 via resistor R₅ and buzzer 42.Terminal 9 also is connected to a transmitter, indicated by box 47.Terminal 10 communicates with terminal 5. Terminal 11 communicates withconductor 40 via capacitor C₄. Terminal 12 communicates with terminal 8,and communicates with the node between resistor R₄ and capacitor C₂.Terminal 13 communicates with the node between resistors R₃ and R₄.Terminal 14 communicates with conductor 38.

[0026] Conductor 35 communicates with a conductor 43 via a conductor 44.Conductor 43 communicates with conductor 40 via resistors R₆, R₇ and acapacitor C₆, and communicates with conductor 40 via resistors R₈, R₉and a LED 45. Conductors 43 and 40 also communicate with one another viaa capacitor C₇.

[0027] This circuit further includes a timer chip 46 having eightterminals. Terminal 1 communicates with conductor 40. Terminal 2communicates with terminal 6 and with the node between resistor R₇ andcapacitor C₆. Terminal 3 communicates with the node between resistors R₈and R₉. Terminal 4 communicates with conductor 43. Terminal 5communicates with conductor 40 through capacitor C₅. Terminal 6communicates with terminal 2, and with a node between resistor R₇ andcapacitor C₆. Terminal 7 communicates with a node between resistors R₆and R₇. Terminal 8 communicates with conductor 43.

[0028] When main switch 32 is closed, power is supplied through thenormally-closed reed switches to the timer circuit. These variousswitches, severally indicated at 33, are normally closed when the gateis not in its raised position. However, when each gate is in its raisedposition, these switches are opened to prevent the loudspeaker circuitfrom being energized. Should any gate not be its fully raised position,at least one of the reed switches will be closed, to energize the timer.After passage of a predetermined period to time, buzzer 42 will sound toaudibly indicate that one of the gates is not in its raised and lockedposition. If desired, this signal may be transmitted via transmitter 43to a remote location, such as a nurse's station.

[0029] When the main switch is closed, power is also supplied to themain timer circuit, which illuminates a green LED 45 to indicate thatthe power is on and the circuitry is operating as intended.

[0030] Thus, the present invention broadly provides an improved bed,such as a pediatric crib 10. The improved bed broadly includes a frame11, a gate 18-21 mounted on the frame for movement relative theretobetween raised and lowered positions, a locking mechanism 27 operativelyarranged between the gate and frame for selectively holding the gate ina particular position relative to the frame, and a warning device 30operatively interposed between the gate and frame for indicating when agate is not in its raised position.

MODIFICATIONS

[0031] The present invention contemplates that many changes andmodifications may be made. For example, the invention may be applied toa pediatric crib, or to another type of bed having gates that arearranged to be moved between raised and lowered positions. These gatesmay be slidably or pivotally mounted on the frame. It is presentlypreferred that to use magnetically-operated reed switches as thesensors, inasmuch as these do not require electrical contact between theswitch and magnet. Rather, the switches are operated by the influence ofa magnet-produced field on the reeds. The beds or cribs may have variousshapes and configurations, as desired. Similarly, the beds or cribs mayhave varied and different types of locking mechanisms for securing themin their upright position and in any intermediate position. Thecircuitry may be modified so as to provide a visual indication that agate is not in its raised position. If desired, the transmitter to theremote location, may be omitted. Chips other than the specificintegrated circuits, indicated at 39, 46, may also be employed.

[0032] Therefore, while the preferred form of the improved bed has beenshown and described, and several modifications thereof discussed,persons skilled in this art will readily appreciate that variousadditional changes and modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit of the invention, as defined and differentiated by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bed, comprising: a frame; a gate mounted onsaid frame for movement relative thereto between first and secondpositions; a locking mechanism operatively arranged between said gateand frame for selectively holding said gate in a particular positionrelative to said frame; and a warning device operatively interposedbetween said gate and frame for indicating when said gate is not in saidfirst position.
 2. A bed as set forth in claim 1 wherein said warningdevice is arranged to audibly indicate that said gate is not in saidfirst position.
 3. A bed as set forth in claim 1 wherein said warningdevice includes a proximity switch operatively interposed between saidgate and frame.
 4. A bed as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frame hastwo corner posts, wherein said gate has adjacent portions proximate eachof said corner posts, and wherein said warning device has a switchoperatively arranged between each of said corner posts and the adjacentportions of said gate to indicate that any of said adjacent gateportions is not in said raised position.
 5. A bed as set forth in claim1 wherein said warning device has an electrical circuit powered by abattery.
 6. A bed as set forth in claim 5 and further comprising anindicator light for visually indicating that said warning device isoperating.
 7. A bed as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising asignaling device for indicating that said gate is not in said firstposition to a location remote from the location of said bed.
 8. A bed asset forth in claim 7 wherein said signaling device includes atransmitter mounted on said crib and a receiver arranged at such remotelocation.
 9. A bed as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising anindicator for indicating the operational status of said warning device.10. A bed as set forth in claim 9 wherein said indicator includes alight.
 11. A bed as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frame has fourcorner posts, wherein there are a plurality of said gates, each gatebeing arranged between a pair of adjacent corner posts, and wherein saidwarning device includes switches to operatively arranged to indicatewhen any of said gates is not in said first position.
 12. A bed as setforth in claim 1 wherein said bed is a pediatric crib.